So much more than just a run today..... I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers 💖.
I will be the first to admit that this week, the second week of lockdown, has been a struggle for me. My mood and my motivation hit the floor. I last ran on Sunday, should have run Tuesday...., put it off till Thursday.... Doldrums creeping in....
Last night I gave myself a firm talking to and I pledged to run....
This morning I got up and I was out of the house early before anyone else was out of bed. I planned to run a new route, which would take me up a small hill to one of my favourite places (I usually walk it with the dog!). At the top there is the most beautiful view of the South Downs. I thought it would fit within my 30 minute consolidation run time, maybe a little more, with 5 minutes walking either side. No Strava today, just my ordinary wristwatch - this was all about allowing myself to just run....
The track has a slow uphill rise and emerges from the trees onto a deserted open play area before disappearing into the woodland again. It was a challenge and I thought I might have pushed myself a little too far, but I kept going. The track levels out a little as it approaches the view point. I ran without my headphones again today, so I could really appreciate the birdsong which seems so abundant now. My footsteps on the soft woodland track were audible as I ran, something I haven't really noticed before. As I turned the last corner towards the viewpoint three gorgeous golden and black labradors bounded into view and, as they doubled back towards the calls of their owner, they bounced along with me.
The view was beautiful and, as I stopped to photograph it, the dogs appeared again. I have walked this hill numerous times with my own dog (who loves to run on her own terms, but unfortunately not sensibly with me...) and the view always embraces me at the top; I love it. Today I ran up here and it was marvellous.
With my spirits already lifted, I started the run down the other side, the view of which you can see in the photograph. Eventually my run turned onto the route of an old railway line. As I ran along it I noticed something ahead, hanging on the branches of the trees along the track. Getting closer, I realised that there were dozens of little wooden hearts, all bearing the most wonderful messages, hanging like Christmas decorations as far as I could see. I stopped to read them all, taking photographs of many as I passed. It was the most welcome, emotional and uplifting experience and it brought with it both a smile and a tear. A lady, walking her dogs towards me from the other direction, and I stopped to talk about the hearts from opposite sides of the path. She said that they had slowly appeared during the course of the week and she believed that it was a family with young children who had made them and hung them up during their walks. We chatted a little longer, asking how each other was doing although we have never met before. We briefly shared our worries, a few anecdotes and shed a couple of tears together, before wishing each other well and heading our separate ways.
Running home I felt comforted, despite my tears or perhaps because of them. I felt a sense of pride in the community in which I live, grateful that someone out there has invested time and effort into making a difference to others. The little wooden hearts certainly worked their magic on me; their little messages combined with a run to my favourite place have lifted me out of the doldrums and put me in the best frame of mind I have had all week. I'm so glad that the little hearts are hanging there and I shall be sharing them with my family on our dog walks.
Take care everyone. Keep safe and keep running 💖🤗
38 Replies
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Those little wooden hearts say e
Sum up everything that's blumin chuffing fantastic about the UK Delly wonderful post, glad you shook off the Gremlins and got back out there 👍👍🥳🙂
in reply to
They certainly do say it all and they made such a difference to me. The Gremlins have gone scurrying off over the hill in the other direction ☺️
Wow Delly-Dot what a beautifully written and uplifting post!! This has brightened up my day also and it reminds us that there are many positive things we can take from these times rather than becoming too focused on the negatives.
Sorry to hear your mood was low this week but happy to see you’ve got your mojo back🥳😀
Your words painted the picture of your route so well I was almost running with you!! 🐕 🐕😀
Thank you Whitto. This morning was wonderful and it was amazing to come across something like this just when I needed it. I'm sure those little wooden hearts have spread a little more comfort to others as the day has gone on.
Thank you for this lovely post, it’s hearing things like this that will keep us all going. Really pleased to hear running has lifted you, I’m so thankful that I started C25K in January and have running in my life now, it has brightened me up every time I’ve gone out these last few weeks x
Running usually lifts me, but my usual route was just not enough this morning, so I changed it; I am so glad I did 💖🌳 as it led me to these lovely messages.
What a wonderful post Delly- Dot. Yes, running just to run is the way to go! Those are my favourite runs and lift our mood! Running is quite an emotional experience anyway I think. How lucky you are to have glorious views
I'm finding the only time I feel motivated and safe to run is first thing in the morning. I went for a walk with my dog at 'lunchtime' yesterday (I'm working fulltime at home at the moment) and there were people about so on the canal tow path there were too many people to feel safe. They were all observing the distancing but people are wearing masks so it's very weird.
First thing in the morning feels like freedom from everything though and the canal path and other little trails are pretty deserted.
I only went in the garden today in the sun in my breaks from the computer. Did a "speed intervals' run on the treadmill, which is all it's good for to be honest!
So moving about the tributes in the trees!
Perhaps we are all learning acceptance, gratitude and solidarity, despite the distancing.
The forum is such a safe space to share our experiences of running during all of the weirdness. We will run when we can and treasure it's importance in these times, however long, or fast, or where, we run!
Thank you Roxdog. I agree with you and would like to think that something good is starting to emerge from the strange times we are living through, and that it will remain with people long after this awful virus has gone.
That is so beautiful Hidden , thank you for sharing.🙂 I can imagine what a lift it must have been to see this on your run 💕🌈. I think we are all brimming with so many different emotions at the moment - something like this is often what we need, just to help let a few out, maybe share with another and feel as though we can cope again. And of course there is our running - we still have our running! 🏃🏽♀️💕x
Lovely post about a lovely run. You took us with you. 💕 And such a good reminder to think about why we run, which usually doesn’t need a tracker and/or distractions. Bird song and the sound of feet on the path.... and those lovely, unexpected hearts. Deep rewards for your effort in getting out there. 👍🌷🎉
Absolutely wonderful...it is these wonderful people and sentiments that will win through. Take care. You are allowed to feel sad and scared sometimes. It is an appropriate reaction to what is happening. Look after yourself. 🌻💕
Hello Delly-dot, Thank you for your uplifting post, brought me to tears but in a good way. So lovely that out of your doldrums you were still able to take yourself out there and found hope and love waiting for you in the trees, these are challenging days yes, but also remarkable days, bringing us closer to our family, friends and strangers alike.❤️ 🤗
in reply to
Hi Mrs Jorge! Have you changed your name-ish!?
This has been a much more positive day for me. Today’s helped me reset a little. Just got to keep it going now. It is amazing where help comes from when you need it. 🌳🤗💖
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Hi D-D , Indeed it is, ....we will all have our ups and down days, especially in these difficult times...glad you’ve had a better day...
Yes, I tweaked my name and added a new pic, dropped the 3 and added Runs instead... to reflect my new identity 😁
I really felt the uplift of your run - you described it so beautifully. 🤗
You keep getting out there & enjoying your runs as often as you can. Sometimes we just need to do the “don’t think, just go” trick to get ourselves out of the door – and then it is so worth while.
PS I will tell my daughter, who is a doctor, about those lovely hearts – I know she will appreciate it.
I think switching to a very early morning run helped me today, so I shall stick to that when I can. Today’s experience has lifted my mood all day. I do hope that some of our key workers on the forum saw the photograph. I am so pleased you shared it with your daughter. 😊🌳💖
Great post Delly-dot, and what a fabulous sight to come across. This situation is so bad it's incomprehensible, so dont beat yourself up about losing your mojo for a few days! You picked yourself up and got out there so well done! I had some doldrums days last week, so an little tip - limit the time you spend listening to the news coverage, I've found it helps 👍😁😘
Thank you Wenderwoo. Great advice as ever. I’ve kept myself really busy today so avoided the news as a consequence and you are right, it has made a difference.
Hello lovely ! What a wonderful post and felt I was running with you but with no effort on my part 🤣
The best start to the day and my favourite time of the day to run too and listen to the birdsong which is always a pleasure.
Hope you and family doing ok...we sometimes take the simple things in life for granted but during these difficult times it can see us through to the other side when we get to the good times again ! Which we will xx
Hello my friend! So lovely to hear from you; I’ve missed our chats. What have you been up to?
I finally graduated just over a week ago and have started consolidation runs now. These wonderful hearts made my day yesterday when I saw them on my run. I am just in from walking Isla with my daughter - I took her to see them all.
I’ve been very busy with work 🚨 at the moment and haven’t had a chance to pop on here as regularly as I have done...but really great news about your graduation and your still running !
I’m still managing to run about 4 times a week if possible, and so nice to get out in the fresh air and blow all the cobwebs away.
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